Once the weather starts to cool off, you may be concerned about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills can add up to a big chunk of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to save, some homeowners take a closer look at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they could use to boost efficiency?
The bulk of thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a regular cycle, what does the fan setting provide for an HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll review what exactly the fan setting is and how you can use it to save money in the summer or winter.
What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?
For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the HVAC blower fan stays on. A few furnaces may continue to run at a low level with this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will run the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off once the cycle is over.
There are pros and cons to trying the fan setting on your thermostat, and whether you do or don’t {will|can|should]] depend on your unique comfort needs.
Advantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:
- You can keep the temperature throughout your home more balanced by allowing the fan to keep generating airflow.
- Indoor air quality should improve because continuous airflow will keep passing airborne contaminants into the air filter.
- A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps extend its life span. As the air handler is usually part of the furnace, this means you can prevent the need for furnace repair.
Disadvantages to using the Fan/On setting:
- A nonstop fan could add to your energy costs slightly.
- Continuous airflow can clog your air filter soon, increasing the frequency you will want to replace it.
Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Summer/Winter
During the summer, warm air can stick around in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system may draw this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to work harder to keep up with the preferred temperature. In severe heat, this may lead to needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear grows.
The opposite can take place during the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on may draw more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to stay warm.
If you’re still trying to determine if you should try the fan/on setting, keep in mind that every home and family’s comfort needs will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may work for you if:
Someone in your household deals with allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be stressful on the family. Leaving the fan on can help to increase indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.
Your home experiences hot and cold spots. Many homes deal with persistent hot and cold spots that quickly return to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting might help minimize these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s airflow.